Activities in the Twenty Seven Local Government Areas in Imo State have virtually come to be halt following directives from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, summoning all the past and present Sole Administrators (SOLADs), Directors of Administrations and General Services, DAGs, Treasurers and Head of Departments, HODs.
According to information available to Trumpeta, the Crime Commission gave the aforementioned officers tomorrow (Wednesday) as the last day to report to the Commission’s office in Abuja or risk arrest.
Trumpeta learnt that most of the officers are confused, as the letter of invitation summoning them to Abuja, was not specific, but with just a tacit letter inviting them for “interrogation on Imo Local Government finances”.
Trumpeta investigation unveiled that the invitation of these top Heads in the LGAs is not unconnected with a petition said to have been written to ICPC by an estranged top officer of the Gov Okorocha administration, detailing how Billions of Naira allocated to Imo LGA was siphoned into private pockets through imaginary contracts that are not recorded any where; either in the LGAs, or State.
“The invitation has to do with a petition to ICPC by a past Okorocha aide about financial misconducts arising from Local Government Allocations” Trumpeta was told.
Trumpeta investigation discovered that most of the SOLADs, DAGs, Treasurers and HODs have left the State for Abuja to beat the deadline given them by the ICPC, while most of them are still in Owerri looking for money to travel.
One of the DAGs who spoke to Trumpeta confirmed the invitation, saying that they have approached the Government to provide them with Transport, accommodation and feeding money, but were rebuffed by the Imo State Government to find their way to Abuja.
Trumpeta was told by some of the embattled DAGs that they were invited in their capacity as Government Workers, and for services rendered to the Okorocha administration and therefore cannot sponsor the trip themselves, even if they have the money.
“My brother, where do I get the money to buy flight ticket, pay Hotel bills and eat in Abuja? And since we are many, some of us may spend more days than necessary. Is the ICPC going to interrogate us in a group, or individually?” one of the Treasurers asked Trumpeta.
The latest development is said to have thrown the Okorocha administration into a quagmire, as the situation is dicey, because most of the Local Government Officials invited are said to be panicking and may not know how to respond to questions, which may spell trouble for the present administration in the State.
“Most of these DAGs and Treasurers are sympathetic to the last administration, as they complain openly that the Okorocha administration has not been treating them well. This is the problem” a source from Government House Owerri told Trumpeta.
However, Trumpeta learnt that top Imo Government functionaries are making frantic efforts to douse the tension, but sources said some of the invited officers are ready to spill the beans, as their own pound of flesh against an administration they say treat top Government administrators with ignominy.
